Women's Lacrosse Makes Trip to Army Thursday

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Purple Eagles continue their four-game road swing to start their season with a trip to West Point Thursday afternoon. The opening draw between Niagara and Army is scheduled for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.

Florida Recap
• Niagara went 1-1 on its trip to the Sunshine State, defeating Stetson (11-10) and falling to No. 18 Jacksonville (20-2).
• Lexi Braniecki and Lois Garlow paced the Niagara attack against Stetson as the two combined for five of the team's 11 goals. Braniecki recorded the hat trick, and Garlow finished with four points (2G, 2A).
• Lucy Rugaber and Allison McCormick also scored twice in the season-opening win for the Purple and White.
• Michelle Messenger recorded 83:35 between the pipes on the trip, making nine saves.
• Rachel Crane and Jaclyn Crane scored Niagara's two goals against the Dolphins.

Niagara Notes
• Garlow is the team's leader in points through two games with four. The junior recorded a pair of goals and assists in the season-opener at Stetson.
• Despite being kept out of the scoring column on Sunday, Braniecki leads the team with three tallies this season. Garlow and R. Crane, Rugaber, and McCormick are second on the team with two goals apiece.
• TaNia Cunningham, R. Crane, and Garlow lead the team with four ground balls through two games. Crane also leads the team in caused turnovers with three.
• On the draw, Garlow paces NU with five draw controls, followed by three from Cunningham and Jaclyn Crane.
• Niagara had three preseason All-MAAC selections, Braniecki, Crane, and Messenger.
• Messenger was also tabbed as the MAAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by Inside Lacrosse.
• The Purple Eagles were selected fourth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. Defending MAAC Champions Fairfield was selected as the preseason favorite.

Series History
• Niagara and Army will meet for the first time Thursday afternoon from Michie Stadium.

Up Next
• Niagara will round out February on Sunday, Feb. 27, when it travels to Youngstown, Ohio, to take on the Penguins of Youngstown State. The opening draw is set for 2 p.m. between NU and YSU.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Lexi Braniecki: A; Sophomore

#21 Rachel Crane: M; Junior

#44 TaNia Cunningham: D; 5' 3"; Senior

#2 Lois Garlow: A; 5' 8"; Junior

#10 Allison McCormick: M; 5' 4"; Senior

#13 Michelle Messenger: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#8 Lucy Rugaber: A; Junior

#37 Jaclyn Crane: M; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Lexi Braniecki
: Sophomore
: A

#21 Rachel Crane
: Junior
: M

#44 TaNia Cunningham
: 5' 3"; Senior
: D

#2 Lois Garlow
: 5' 8"; Junior
: A

#10 Allison McCormick
: 5' 4"; Senior
: M

#13 Michelle Messenger
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#8 Lucy Rugaber
: Junior
: A

#37 Jaclyn Crane
: Freshman
: M